OK, here's the startling difference with only one side of eye makeup done:

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TADAH!

I didn't photoshop the eye makeup at all!

Want to know how to do big eye makeup? The Japanese look to dramatically enlarge their eyes and sometimes they use pretty extreme makeup that some people might find too... exaggerated for daily wear. It's a bit weird to go work/school with getai makeup! The key should be to enlarge your eyes, but in a more subtle and natural way.

Want to know how I did it? Here are the steps!

Let's start!

Step 1: Double eyelid tape!!

Knowing your own eye shape is important. I was born with single eyelids and since I was young, all the adults would say it's a pity that I didn't get double eyelids when both my parents had them. Hahaha in Singapore during my parents' era got no sense of what is the politically correct thing to say one... In the States if you said monolids are ugly, people will say you are racist against Chinese and try to patronize you by saying that monolids are sexy and exotic. Or they scold you for not loving yourself. LOL

Well I'm Asian and so I'm allowed to say... I HATED MY MONOLIDS! Of course, this is not to make you feel bad about your monolids if you have them. Go ahead and feel that they are special and beautiful. But I like the whole dolly look and so I didn't like my monolids.

The reason is nothing racist. It's makeup woes.

When you have monolids your eyes tend to be hooded. Refer to the picture above for the monolid eye in the square. The flesh above the eye tends to droop down more, obstructing the iris and making eyes look smaller and more tired.

When you try to apply makeup, eyeliner goes under the eyelids, so you basically can't see any eyeliner or eyeshadow at all unless you put it super thick.

I was 13 when I first started putting on double eyelid tape.

In the past, it wasn't so convenient and I had to cut the tape myself. I even used scotchtape to cut costs. LOL!!

I put tape on everyday and one day, something miraculous happened...When I took out the tape, the DOUBLE EYELIDS STAYED.

I developed permanent double eyelids! I don't know if it's from the regular application of the tape or because I just grew up that way... but it happened.

So why do I still need to use this if I already have double eyelids?

Because THERE ARE DIFFERENT TYPES OF DOUBLE EYELIDS!

There is tapered, where the inner corner of the eyelid joins with the eyes, which Koreans prefer.

There is parallel, where the inner corner of the double eyelid doesn't join with the eyes, which Japanese prefer. Parallel double eyelids are not very common naturally on Asians, but most Caucasians have it.

On the right is my natural double eyelid, which is quite low.

Even though it's technically not monolids, the double eyelids are so close to my eyelashes that any eye makeup I put will be obscured partially...

On the left you can see the effect after applying double eyelid tape! I chose tapered double eyelids for a more natural look, but it is still double the thickness of before.

You can see the difference in makeup later on. Double eyelid tape is a very important part of my makeup routine and I never go without it!

Here's how it looks like when my eyes are closed! Barely visible!

When applying double eyelid tape, remember to not go too close to the inner eye corner where it might cause you discomfort. Otherwise it's super comfy!

Makeup should be applied AFTER the tape is on, because powder on the eyelids will cause the tape to not stay. I tried Koji's eyelid tape and found it to be very long-lasting and comfortable!

Koji's new double eyelid tape is a very very light nude colour, translucent and looks almost visible on eyelids.

Next I'm applying eyeliner on both eyes, in deep black. They also have brown available for a softer look.

I love Dolly Wink's eyeliners!! Not only is the packaging so gorgeous, the liner itself is also very precise, easy to use, and it stays on all day. The control is good so it's easy for novices!

Done in a minute.

Here's the effect! Check out the difference between the two eyes!

You can see an obvious difference right? With tape, there are two visible lines, the eyeliner AND the double eyelid, giving it a more interesting look. Without tape, the eye looks smaller and eyeliner is partially covered.

Of course, you can decide which look you prefer, but I definitely think the higher double eyelids make the eyes look much bigger. Sad news for people with naturally high double eyelids though... There is no tape that can make it monolids even if you wanted to! LOL Next step is Dolly Wink's famous eyelashes!

I am using Dolly Wink in No. 23. Sweet Girl. It is a very simple and natural pair of falsies that anyone can wear, even everyday!

First step to applying eyelashes:

Measure the eyelashes against your own eye length and cut accordingly. I didn't cut mine because I like my outer corner to have eyelashes jutting out a little. Makes eyes look longer!

The special thing about Dolly Wink's eyelashes is that the lash bone is very very soft, and transparent. When you have them on your eyelids they are fluttery and light... No discomfort and it feels like you are wearing absolutely nothing.

The eyelash designs are produced by the famous Japanese makeup icon Tsubasa Masuwaka herself. They have so many designs that one is bound to be your makeup staple.

I also used the new Dolly Wink's Eyelash Fix Glue to finish the job... The glue is super strong hold, waterproof, and water and perspiration-resistant!! And it also turns transparent after application so you won't see white glue patches on your eyes!

Next step: Mascara!

WHAT IS THIS?? HAVE YOU SEEN A FREAKING CHIOER MASCARA!???

Why so pretty!!

The Dolly Wink mascara now has a new packaging (I approve x 10000) and has an improved formula with a better lengthening effect!!

I'm using the "Long" mascara for longer lashes that fan out with the help of micro fibres for my lower lashes... gives an illusion of even bigger eyes!

FINISHED!!!!!!!

I also applied a bit of mascara to my falsies so they look like my natural eyelashes!

Here's the finished look!! Yay to big eye makeup!!

Do you want to try on big eye makeup but have NO IDEA how to do it? Or have you tried and it turned out to be a huge mess?

COME JOIN THE DOLLY WINK BIG EYE CHALLENGE EVENT!!

Join me at the event and you can learn the basics to expert steps of achieving big eyes! At the event, you will learn all about eye shapes, eyelids, eyelashes... You can identify your own eye shape and learn about the best ways to apply makeup to your own eyes.

- You get to experiment with all Dolly Wink lashes, eyeshadows, eyeliners and all cosmetics to create big eyes! Very good lah don't need to buy and can try them all!

- BIG EYE Senseis will be around to teach you and help you! When they call it sensei it sounds like they got very ancient wisdom of eye make that nobody knows about haha

- WIN the big eye difference contest and YOU GET A PAIR OF AIR TICKETS TO TOKYO AND TOKYO DISNEYLAND/SEA!! If you have small eyes and you are confident you can make it look very big with makeup you definitely should come try!!

- I POST AGAIN BECAUSE FREE PAIR OF AIR TICKETS TO TOKYO AND TOKYO DISNEYLAND/SEA IN CASE YOU NEVER READ PROPERLY

- You get to meet the most awesome blogger and learn tips from her. It's me in case you didn't get that.

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- Stand to win prizes!

SOUNDS LIKE AN AWESOME DAY!!!

You get freebies and best of all, learn to be chioer! It sounds fun!!!

Event details:

Date: 5th September

Venue: Scape Treetop

Time: 2pm to 4pm: For registered participants only4pm to 6pm: Open to public!

Cost: $10

(but you also get a $10 voucher redeemable, plus a goodie bag of products worth $65)

In 2 months' time he would have been 5 years old. Rabbits usually live from 5-12 years but lops usually get 8-10. He had left me before he was meant to.

Yesterday in the wee hours of the morning at 3am I was in the living room watching TV and he was still hopping around and playing with his toy ball, the blue one in the picture. That ball had a bell in it so he likes to push it around.

This morning at 9am he was found exactly like in the picture... His body was already hard. 😭 Even his usual soft floppy ears are hard. 😭😭😭

My heart broke when I felt him like that... When Ellen told me she woke up to find igloo dead, part of me chose not to believe her and wanted to nudge him awake. But he wasn't his usual floppy, soft self. He was rigid. Even lightest touch confirmed the nightmare; I didn't have to nudge after all.

I feel overwhelmed with guilt. Sadness too definitely, and a huge sense of loss. But a lot of guilt.

In my old house I used to let igloo roam around my Princess room. He was perfectly litter box trained (bunny safe cat litter) so that was great.

However, after we moved, almost the entire house was carpeted. I continued letting him roam around the whole house.

For some reason, igloo kept peeing on the carpet (yes he is neutered). He likes to pee at obscure corners like under cupboards where I can't find the pee puddle until weeks later and it would stink like crazy. The smell wouldn't go away and I suspect there are still some pee somewhere that I never managed to find since the colour isn't super obvious... My Princess Room didn't stop smelling like pee till about 1 year later.

I then moved igloo to the kitchen, which had no carpet. I really saw no other choice. The only other places in the house without carpet is mike's workshop (not suitable for a rabbit) and the balcony, which I already bought furniture for and had no space. So igloo stayed within a partition in the kitchen (it is much more spacious than a cage) and often he is allowed to roam the whole kitchen and gets his fresh veggies from our cooking.

To most people who never owned a rabbit, they will think this amount of space is enough. But to rabbit lovers, we know that they should be allowed in the whole house or at least in a room, like dogs or cats. They don't belong in a cage.

It would have been great to be able to let him roam the whole house, but the new house is so big and he is so small... we can't possibly keep an eye on him. And I can't keep hunting for pee puddles.

Dash just got born too, and I was so busy with the newborn. I feel like shit for neglecting igloo's needs and finding all these excuses and I wish I could have given him a better life.

But at the same time, I feel angry because I know self righteous animal lovers will accuse me of torturing him. He had ample space, he had food and water and hay. His living quarters was clean. Except for his first month after being born, he was never in a cage. I still played with him and I still loved him. Yes his attention got less after Dash's arrival, but I am not going to apologize for putting my human child first.

And I don't know why I feel angry if I know I didn't do anything wrong. Ffs many pet rabbits live in cages all their lives. I guess it's because part of me feels like because his quality of life deteriorated after I moved house, that is somehow responsible for his death. And I really don't want to hear further confirmation of it because I already feel like shit, thanks.

Anyway I'm gonna try not going to go into defensive mode because this post isn't about me or my chip in the shoulder about being called a bad pet owner.

This is about igloo, my lovely pet bunny.

About 2 weeks ago Mike said that since Dash is no longer using his playpen and is old enough to play with igloo, we should move igloo out to the balcony.

The furniture that used to be there was gone, so there is space. It's easier access for the family to play with him.

And so we transferred him from kitchen to balcony.

The space he had was about the same but at least now he enjoys aircon and more attention. He seemed happy. Dash played with igloo too but he wasn't very interested and would just pet igloo a few times then ask to be let out of the playpen.

I didn't post about igloo's move to the balcony because it was still in a trial stage. We wanted to see if the new living area worked.

And just after 2 weeks of enjoyment, he is gone. :'(

I have no idea why he passed. He didn't seem injured, had no wet poop, or vomit or any other symptoms. His pen still had hay, food (he ate normally and had a bit left over) and water. I fed him some cabbage just yesterday. He isn't old either. He basically had absolutely no abnormal behaviour, was active and seemingly healthy just hours ago. It feels so shitty not knowing WHY! It's so damn sudden.

Two days ago he jumped out of the playpen (I'm shocked! Can jump so high) and roamed the house for a bit while everyone slept until Ellen realised he escaped and put him back. He didn't manage to escape again but could it be during one of those jumps he fell and injured himself? Or had a heart attack or something? I guess I would never know.

I'm also told that since rabbits do eat their own poop, it could be that he had a viral infection from that, which can cause very sudden and immediate death.

I called pet cremation and they came to take his body away. The guy was very kind and asked if I wanted a last look. I gave his fuzzy head one last rub. He would never use his paws to wash that head again. Even in death, he looked so adorable... He looked like he was sleeping soundly, all flopped out.

Just like that, he is gone from my life after 5 years.

I will never see him periscoping in curiosity again. I will never again see another binky or feel his warm body as he leans against my leg to sleep. And I wonder if I will ever handle vegetables in the kitchen again without automatically thinking I should cut a portion for him.

Igloo was a great pet. He had a gentle, affectionate temperament. I really liked his character.

He taught me so much about bunnies that I never knew. That rabbits are intelligent and have just as much character as a dog or a cat, even though they don't make a noise.

People think that rabbits don't like being touched because they often scamper away and appear scared.

Truth is, they love being touched and pet and scratched... But in the wild, rabbits' defense mechanism against enemies is to stamp their feet to warn their burrow mates, then immediately bolt.

So when they are lifted off the ground for a hug like humans like to do, they feel super unsafe and paranoid, because they are unable to stamp and bolt if anything happens. I guess it's the human equivalent of binding your hands and feet then forcing you into a hug. Surely you won't feel like a hug when you feel trapped.

So igloo doesn't like being picked up (although he tolerates it if it doesn't last too long) but he LOVES being close to me. He never bit me before.

When I'm using the computer, he would lie down next to my feet and either sleep there or give me bunny licks. His tongue is small and darty and it's really cute.

Sometimes he would use his head to keep bumping me until I give him a head scratch.

Even after Dash was born and he moved to the kitchen, whenever I opened his pen he would still hop out, nuzzle me and give me his licks. He didn't hold a grudge, he still loved me. He is just easy going and affectionate like that.

You will be missed, looloo. Thank you for all the wonderful, wonderful memories. I don't think I'll ever love any other pet as much. Thank you for all the love you showered on me unconditionally.

Ps: I'm on my way to the airport after posting this. I had to rush it out, or I would have posted more of his cute pictures... I have no time to look through picture archives in my computer.

I'm going to Tokyo for a business trip. It's small consolation that at least I have some distraction instead of staring at the empty space that once was his pen.